Why Turn Your Head Away From Traffic? Turn Your Side Mirror Instead!

The Automotive Blind Spot Problem Shouldn't Even Be A Problem

Motor vehicles rely on two mirrors mounted on each side of the vehicle to uncover objects (including other vehicles such as passing or trailing traffic) next to them and behind them.
These vehicle power side mirrors are based on a design that is incapable of displaying, or “detecting”, a vehicle occupying a directly adjacent lane and approaching the reference vehicle from the rear (such as the situation of a faster vehicle passing a slower vehicle).
The overall phenomenon of a vehicle in an adjacent lane becoming invisible in a driver’s side mirror is known as the “Blind Spot”, or “Blind Zone.”
The location of a traditional Blind Spot is denoted in Figure 1 in red. The size and position of the area constituting a Blind Spot Zone in a given vehicle is based on the following factors:

• The distance of the position of the side mirror to the driver’s eyes,
• The width of the mirror surface,
• The width of the object behind the reference vehicle (in an adjacent lane),
• The driver-specified position of the blind side mirror,
• The inflection of the mirror’s reflective surface (concave / convex mirror).

The Blind Spot phenomenon is pervasive among virtually all passenger cars, light and medium trucks and vans, and all sport utility vehicles. Some medium and heavy duty vehicles, resort to mounting multiple side view mirrors to alleviate this problem.

Introducing LaneFX - The World's First Active Blind Spot Exposure System

Take the Safer Lane Change Alternative for a Test Drive Online

The blind spot mirrors mechanism used by motorists is an entirely manual task. As part of basic driver education, drivers are taught to check their Blind Spot Zone before executing a lane change by turning the driver’s head by as much as 90 degrees in the direction of the desired lane check/change.

This manual technique to the persistent Blind Spot problem is inherently flawed in the following ways:

1. The driver is required to direct his / here direction away from the road ahead.
   The head turning task is strictly voluntary to the driver. Driver fatigue or low alertness levels can contribute to ignoring or neglecting to perform this manual check when changing lanes.
   Human perception of sight ahead is based on a concept of continuity.
2. Any product that eliminates or reduces FOR Adaptation Time can provide significant benefits in collision avoidance. In normal highway traffic flows, 280-1,200 milliseconds of FOR Adaptation Time translate into 124 feet of advance emergency stopping distance.
3. Vehicle designs vary widely. Some vehicles have severely restricted side view through and behind the driver side B-pillar. This occurs most commonly in some sports cars and convertibles. Similarly, tall SUVs, while having ample viewing room up to the B-pillar on the driver side, have impeded blind spot mirrors to their relatively large dimensions, including height. In essence, any B-pillar or height design issues inherently limit the side and rearward view through the driver’s side window. This consequently further limits the reliability and efficiency of conventional Blind Spot checking mechanism in preventing avoidable lane change collisions.

The Blind Spot Problem is Becoming Quite Pervasive

Growing Demand for a Practical Solution Seen With Consumers, OEMs and Tier 1 Supplier Community.

The advanced Blind Spot Detection solutions market is now emerging with industry indications of considerable upside, starting with MY06 and MY07 vehicle line-ups.

At Drivaware, we have dedicated considerable product development resources to create, develop and production-ready three innovative Blind Spot Detection systems. While other companies are focused on producing car gadgets, we are focused on the efficiency of the system in terms of driver awareness. Two of these solutions are entirely original innovations, never seen before in the automotive marketplace. More broadly however, each Drivaware Blind Spot Detection solution has a compelling first-to-market advantage in its respective technology.

What You Can't See in Your Mirrors Can Hurt You

The blue car's driver sees the green car through his mirrors but cannot see the red car without turning to check his blind spot. Blind spots, in the context of driving an automobile, are the areas of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors. Blind spots can be eliminated by overlapping side and rear-view mirrors, or checked by turning one's head briefly, or by adding another mirror with a larger field of view. Detection of vehicles or other objects in blind spots may also be aided by systems such as video cameras or distance sensors, though these are not common in automobiles sold to the general public.

Are All Blind Spot Mirrors the Same?

No. See Why LaneFX Won the "Drivers Choice" Award by BlindSpotSystems.com

The areas most commonly referred to as blind spots are the rear quarter blind spots, areas towards the rear of the vehicle on both sides. Vehicles in the adjacent lanes of the road may fall into these blind spots, and a driver may be unable to see them using only the car's mirrors.

Other areas that are sometimes called blind spots are those that are too low to see behind and in front of a vehicle. Also, in cases where side vision is hindered, areas to the left or right can become blind spots as well.

Beware of Setting Your Mirrors "Wide"

Mirror alignment is often done incorrectly by drivers. There is a tendency to want to provide context for the side mirror view by having the rear of the driver's own vehicle in the mirror frame. When improperly aligned the side view mirrors widen the perspective offered by rear view mirror, but still not providing full coverage of the blind spot areas around SUV's, light trucks, minivans and even commercial vans.

Even with a head-turn, the driver should continue to look forward, in the direction the car is traveling. This is accomplished by using the correct blind spot mirrors or blind spot detection system. Exaggerated head-turns, where the driver actually faces backward for a moment to check the blind spot, are dangerous because the vehicle in front may come to a sudden stop just at that instant resulting in a rear-end collision.

LATEST REPORT

Most Drivers Say They Don't Use Turn Signals

Maybe you've asked yourself: What is the big deal about a turn signal? Is it hard to find? Difficult to use? Why is it that 57 percent of drivers say they don't use one? Won't-use-a-signal drivers are simply not motivated properly, according to a national survey by Response Insurance, a national car insurer.

• 23 percent say they're too lazy.
• 42 percent say they don't have enough time.
• 17 percent don't signal because they forget to turn the signals off after turning.
• 12 percent say they change lanes too often to bother.
• 11 percent say it's not important.
• 8 percent say they won't signal because other drivers don't.
• 7 percent actually say they forego the signal because it "adds excitement to driving."

(The total exceeds 100 percent because some drivers picked more than one reason.)

With LaneFX, drivers have experienced a 38% increase in consistent turn signal utilization compared with their driving habits prior to owning the system.

LaneFX Safe Driving Tips:

LaneFX Helps Drivers Remember to Use Their Blinkers Before Merging or Changing Lanex

Latest LaneFX core driving tips gathered from LaneFX owners

• Wear your seatbelt. Almost 40 per cent of all vehicle occupants killed in 2002 were not wearing a seatbelt. So whether you're a driver or passenger, buckle up.
• Slow down. Excessive speed is a contributing factor in 20 per cent of occupant fatalities.
• Each year, 25 per cent of deaths and 40 per cent of serious injuries from vehicle collisions occur at intersections. Be careful, even when you have the right of way, and remember to treat a non-working traffic light like a four-way stop.
• In summer, there are more people on the roads in many different kinds of vehicles. Remember to watch out for motor bikes and bicycles and be courteous to these road users.
• The safest place for kids under 12 is in the back seat. Have kids travel in the back seat, especially when there is an airbag for the passenger seat.

Don't drink and drive

Impaired driving is a problem that seriously affects the safety of our roads. Every year more than 1,100 people die in alcohol-related collisions - that's about one-third of the total number of fatalities. Thousands more are injured, many of them permanently disabled. In fact, nearly 40 per cent of seriously injured drivers consumed alcohol prior to their collisions.

Driving a car taps into almost all our basic skills - perception, attention, judgment, decision making, physical reactions - as well as our ability to coordinate these skills. Alcohol impairs these skills and our ability to drive.

• Put simply, don't drink and drive.
• If you are hosting a party or function where alcohol is served, remember that you may be legally liable for damage caused by guests - even after they have left the premises.

Check your tires

Without proper maintenance, your tires could fail and cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Proper tire maintenance is not only critical to the safe operation of your vehicle, but will also improve fuel economy, extend tire life, provide better vehicle handling, help prevent avoidable breakdowns and collisions, and reduce exhaust emissions that contribute to environmental, health and climate change problems.

• Driving on under-inflated tires at high speeds on a warm summer day is a dangerous combination. For safety's sake, check your tires once a month, especially before you head out on a long trip.
• Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct levels and do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle. This information can usually be found on the inside of the driver's door.
• Inspect your tires regularly for uneven tread wear, cuts, cracks, bulges and foreign objects and rotate tires on a regular basis.

Sharing the road with large trucks and commercial vehicles

There are more commercial vehicles on Canada's roads now than ever before. These vehicles can be up to 40 times heavier than an average car and take more than twice the distance to stop. To prevent collisions with these vehicles, remember:

• Avoid cutting in front of trucks or braking suddenly in front of them.
• When you are in the driver's blind spot, move through quickly and never pass on the right, where the blind spot is even larger. If you can't see the driver's face in their side mirror, they can't see you.
• When passing a truck, ensure you can do it safely, signal, then pass promptly. Be prepared to encounter splash and spray on wet roads.

Cell phones and other distractions

Pay attention-don't engage in distracting activities while driving. Cell phones and other devices such as electronic navigation systems are emerging as factors in road collisions.

• Do not use a phone while driving.
• Turn the phone off before you start driving. Let callers leave a message.
• If there are passengers in the vehicle, let one of them take or make the call.
• If you're expecting an important call, let someone else drive.

LaneFX Gives You Greater Driving Safety, Effortless Parking and Stress-Free Lane Changes - Or Your Money Back!

Our Triple Buyer Protection Program ensures your satisfaction or we'll refund your money including your original shipping and handling charges!

Drivaware Inc. warrants the LaneFX blind spot exposure system against all defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase, subject to the following terms and conditions. This warranty is limited to the original owner, and is Non- Transferable. This warranty does not apply if the serial number or housing of the product has been removed, or if the product has been subjected to physical abuse, improper installation, or modification. To obtain warranty service, the product must be returned, insured and shipping prepaid, to Drivaware Inc., at the address below, in its original packaging or a suitable equivalent, along with a written description of the problem. Drivaware Inc.’s responsibility under this warranty is limited to repair or replacement of the product or refund of its purchase price, at the sole discretion of Drivaware Inc.

Drivaware Inc. disclaims all other warranties, expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular purposes whatsoever, and no other remedy shall be available, including without limitation, incidental or consequential damages. In no event shall Drivaware Inc.’s liability exceed the purchase price of the product in question. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages of how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights. You may have other legal rights which vary from state to state. Drivaware Inc. wants you to be satisfied with its products. Should you have any difficulties with the operation or performance of your LaneFX system.